OZARK…Mrs. Judy E. Shiver Teal, a resident of Ozark, died early Saturday morning, February 22, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. She was 77.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Sykes Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, near Clio, with Pastor Michael Woodham officiating. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 12:15 until 1:15 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Teal, daughter of the late Roy Bryant Shiver and Margaret Frances Shirah Shiver, was a native of Barbour County. She was a 1966 Graduate of Blue Springs High School and moved to Ozark in 1988. Mrs. Teal was formerly employed with Farmer’s and Merchants Bank for several years and was retired from the Ozark Utilities Board after over twenty years of employment. She was a member of Chalkhead Baptist Church. Mrs. Teal was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Teal, Jr.
Surviving relatives include her children, Cheri Shaw (Gary), Headland, Blake Moates (Rachel), Brantley, and James B. Mizell, Opp; sister, Donna Helms (Larry), Eufaula; three grandchildren, Lily Shaw, Katie Moates, and Aaden Moates.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
OZARK…Mrs. Betty Sue Benefield Peters went to the hands of the Lord on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in her home. She was 91.
She was from Ozark, Alabama and was born on June 25, 1933, she was a loving daughter to Willie Benefield and Mildred Fralish Benefield. She was a graduate of the class of 1951 from Ariton High School. She Married Toby G. Peters on December 24th, 1951, in Dale County. Betty was a loving mother to her three children Aubrey G. Peters (Rhonda), Janetta Goolsby (Tommy), and Corsey S. Peters (Janet) She worked as a seamstress for many years, she found joy in dedicating her sewing talents to serving Jesus with the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church- Dorcas sewing ministry. She had a wonderful gift for her sewing talents that she offered to many. Betty truly lived life to the fullest, through simple pleasures, in her spare time you could find her in her garden, chatting with friends and family, her most requested meals came from the local hunter’s wild game that she would specially prepare for them to enjoy. She never met a stranger, and you never left without a full belly. She is preceded in death by her parents Willie and Mildred Fralish Benefield. Her three sisters Lillian Layton, Faye Jacobs and Carolyn Peters. Her husband Toby G. Peters, son Aubrey G. Peters, granddaughter Jeannie Clark
She is survived by her daughter Janetta, her son Corsey (Janet), daughter in law Rhonda, eight grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and her sister, Charlotte Byrd.
Graveside services will be held at 3:00 P.M., Monday, February 24th, 2025, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Harold Peters officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside service. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Noah Williams, Cain Turvin, Jeremy Peters, Bryan Peters, Jason Peters, and Matthew Goolsby.
The family would like to thank the Ariton Fire and Rescue and the wonderful help and special care given by Community Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church- Dorcas Sewing Ministry 1124 CR-11 Ozark, Alabama 36360 or Ariton Fire and Rescue PO Box 183 Ariton, Alabama 36311.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
OZARK… Command Sargent Major Charles “Chuck” E. Frye Sr. was born in Greene County, Mississippi on January 23,1931. He passed peacefully at the Command Sargent Major Bennie Adkins State Veterans Home on February 21st, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Sr and Stella Frye. His wife of 70 years Frances M (Nell) Frye, daughter Paula G Morgan and son James E. Frye, brothers Leroy, Henry, Walter Jr. (Preacher), Cecil & James, sisters Maxine, Elvalou, Ophelia & Daisy. He is survived by his daughter Joan K. Brown and son Charles E. Frye Jr (Deborah), 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 7 great great-grandchildren.
Chuck volunteered to join the United Sates Amy in 1949 shortly after graduating from Leakesville High School, in Leakesville Mississippi. He served honorably for over 26 years at numerous stateside overseas locations, in peacetime and combat, until retiring in 1975, as a Command Sergeant Major, USAC, Alaska. Chuck was a founding member the Wiregrass Sergeants Major Association and the association’s honorary president in perpetuity.
He was a veteran of the Korean War where he served with the 7th Infantry Division and served two tours in Vietnam with the 145th Aviation Battalion and 1st Cavalry Division. His assignments included 3rd Armored Division, 3rd Infantry Division, Sergeant Major for the Army Aviation Test Board, and Command Sergeant Major duties with 145th Aviation Battalion (RVN), 227th Aviation Battalion (RVN), 33rd Signal Brigade, and 1st Aviation Brigade.
Chuck’s numerous awards and decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Start (4), Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal (5), Army Commendation Medal (3), GCM (7), National Defense Service Medal (5), Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Korean Service Medal (7 Campaign Stars), UN Korean Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit of Citation Medal, and RVN Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation, and the Amy Valorous and Meritorious Unit Awards.
A service honoring the life of Mr. Frye will take place at Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home in Ozark, Alabama, with visitation on Thursday, February 27th from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M., and the funeral service on Friday, February 28th at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Army Emergency Relief and the Claybank Lodge #908 Ozark, AL.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Paula Diane (Reynolds) Crosby, 69, a resident of Dothan, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025, at her residence surrounded by her family following a courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Glover Funeral Home with Reverend Danny Crosby officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 5:45 p.m., at the funeral home prior to the service.
Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. (ET) / 10:00 a.m. (CT), Wednesday 26, 2025, at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home of Dothan directing.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 West 44th Street, Suite 609, New York, NY 10036.
Paula was born on March 2, 1955, in Montgomery to the late Lemiel Aston & Janie Emma (Adams) Reynolds. She spent her childhood in Prattville, and was a 1973 graduate of Autauga County High School. Paula worked in Customer Service for Southeast Gas for over 20 years up until her retirement in 2022. Following retirement, she served with Calvary Baptist Church of Dothan with their weekday ministires. She was a former longtime member of Southside Baptist Church, and was a current member of Memphis Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Wayne Crosby; a brother, Paul Aston Reynolds; and a nephew, Gary Reynolds.
She is survived by her two sons, Matthew Paul Crosby (Katie) of Millbrook, and James Adam Crosby (Kristin) of Albany, GA; five grandchildren; Bayley Crosby, Aara Marie Crosby, Kate Crosby, Janie Crosby, and Jameson Crosby; one great-grandchild, Rhett Jennings; and several nieces and nephews.
Serving as pallbearers, Ty Jennings, David Kohler, Richie Pilkington, Lance Beasley, Matt Crosby, and Adam Crosby.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Aryanna Nicole Griffin, affectionately known as Aryanna, passed away at the age of 8 on February 21, 2025, in Birmingham, Alabama, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Born on March 18, 2016, in Dothan, Alabama, Aryanna was a beacon of joy and kindness to all who knew her.
From a very young age, Aryanna’s vibrant spirit and friendly demeanor touched the lives of many. Her infectious smile and boundless energy were most evident when she was indulging in her love for music and dance, or while playing her favorite sports, volleyball and basketball. Aryanna’s competitive spirit shone brightly whether she was on the court or racing go-carts at Adventureland, an activity she adored. Her love for life was also expressed through her cherished collection of stuffed animals and her fondness for jewelry, which added a sparkle to her everyday adventures.
Aryanna’s education was cultivated at home, where she learned not just academics but also the values of kindness and courage, attributes that came to define her. These qualities were evident in every aspect of her life, from her interactions with her family and friends to the way she faced her illness with bravery beyond her years.
She leaves behind a loving family who supported her throughout her life and her illness. Aryanna was the cherished daughter of Edtron Griffin and Lakeria King, and a beloved sister to Tyanna Balcom, Jakayla Balcom, and Raecia Brown. Her grandparents, Josephine Thomas, Martha Ashley (Connie), and Kimberly Griffin (Eddie), along with her great-grandparents, Emma Bittman and Milton King, provided her with an abundance of love and wisdom. Her aunts, Jessica Barkley, Alicia Griffin, Faith Griffin, Glenda Barkley, Pamela Hall (Nathaniel), and Tina Young, along with her uncles, Gabriel Griffin and Robert Barkley (Jackie), were integral to her life’s tapestry.
Aryanna’s vibrant life was enriched by the close bond she shared with her cousins Victory Griffin, Tre Griffin, Serenity Griffin, Caleb Ware, Paul Ware, and Robert Creed. Her extended family, including great-aunts Naomi Brackins, Irene Chamber (Johnny), Mary West, Jannie Bell Griffin, Joan Carter, and great-uncle Charles Griffin (Peggy), will fondly remember her as a light that shone brightly, albeit for too short a time.
Aryanna’s legacy is one of love, laughter, and the extraordinary strength of a young girl who faced life’s challenges with the heart of a lion. She will be remembered for her kind and friendly nature, and the courage with which she lived every moment of her life. Her memory will forever be a guiding light to all who were fortunate enough to know her.
As we say goodbye to Aryanna Nicole Griffin, we will celebrate her life at 11:00 am on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 4pm until 6pm. She will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
